Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is being remanded due to inadequate prior VA examinations and the need for additional information regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the Veteran's continuous reports of back pain in service are consistent with his combat experience and supported by post-service treatment records. The decision is based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board finds that his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea began during his active duty service and grants the claim. Other issues related to right hip, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination records.

The Board has determined that the VA etiological medical opinions provided are not in compliance with the July 2020 remand directives and thus, these claims must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations, obtain clarification opinions from an appropriate examiner regarding RLE radiculopathy, and ensure that all development actions have been completed.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his bilateral knee iliotibial band friction syndrome and service connection for a low back condition due to potential lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and related conditions. The issues are now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his time in active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine DDD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for hypertension, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of recent medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability. The issues of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and cervical spine conditions as well as sleep apnea are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, sinus, and sleep apnea conditions due to inadequate explanations in the medical opinions provided. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are related to his active service, specifically his parachute jumps therein. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The appeal of this issue must be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations for his dental disability, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, major depressive disorder (MDD), and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and examination, including a review of all relevant records and an opinion on whether the Veteran's back disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that this rating is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes and limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities is granted.,Service connection for fibroids and hysterectomy is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar degenerative disc disease has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a valid application to VA until April 25, 2018, and thus the earliest possible effective date is April 25, 2018.